A terrified pensioner has become the latest victim in a series of vicious muggings in Washington.

The 61-year-old was treated in Sunderland Royal Hospital for head and wrist injuries after she was dragged along the ground as her handbag was stolen in a busy shopping centre car park.

There have been more than 20 similar attacks in the town over the past two months and police say muggers are targeting elderly women.

The latest victim had been shopping in The Galleries and was pushing her trolley to the car park when the attack happened.

A black Nissan Almera-type hatchback car with tinted windows pulled into the car park, reversed towards them and a man jumped out. He grabbed the victim's handbag but the straps were round the trolley's handle and she refused to let go.

As her friend watched helplessly in horror, the woman was dragged a few feet along the ground before the mugger pulled the handbag free, jumped back into the car and sped off.

Det Insp Hedley said: "This was a despicable offence. It seems muggers are on the lookout and preying on vulnerable people."